Articulating arm camera mount

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an articulating arm camera mount for mounting an imaging device. The disclosed camera mount comprises a base, one or more arms, and a head that are movably secured to one another and are generally interchangeable with different components and pieces. The disclosed camera mount allows for greater flexibility and creativity in the placement and positioning of an imaging device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/800,640, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is incorporated herein byreference as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to imaging devices, and moreparticularly to an articulating arm camera mount for mounting an imagingdevice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure may be embodied in an imaging device mountcomprising a base configured to be mounted on a receiving surface; anarm movably secured to the base such that the arm can be moved relativeto the base and secured in place; and a mount head movably secured tothe arm such that the mount head can be moved relative to the arm andsecured in place. The mount head is configured to mount an imagingdevice. The imaging device mount may allow for multiple degrees offreedom for an imaging device mounted to the mount head.

In one embodiment, the arm may comprise a plurality of segments that aremovably secured to each other to form the arm.

In one embodiment, the base may comprise an adhesive surface formounting on a receiving surface. In another embodiment, the base maycomprise a plug that is configured to be mounted in a correspondingcavity of a receiving surface. In yet another embodiment, the base maybe configured to be removably secured to the receiving surface. In afurther aspect of this embodiment, the base may comprise hook and loopfastener.

In one embodiment, the base may be shaped to be mounted on a flatreceiving surface. In another embodiment, the base may be shaped to bemounted on a curved receiving surface. In yet another embodiment, thebase may be shaped to be mounted on a non-flat surface.

In one embodiment, at least one of the arm or the mount head is movablysecured using a threaded fastener such that when the threaded fasteneris loosened, the arm and/or mount head is movable, and when the threadedfastener is tightened, the arm and/or mount head is secured in place.

In a particular embodiment, the mount head may be configured to mount aGoPro camera.

The present disclosure may also be embodied in a method comprisingmounting an imaging device to a mount similar to the mount describedabove; securing the mount to a receiving surface; adjusting the positionof the imaging device in a first direction by adjusting the position ofthe arm relative to the base; and adjusting the position of the imagingdevice in a second direction that is different from the first positionby adjusting the position of the mount head relative to the arm; andlocking the imaging device in place.

In one embodiment, the arm may comprise a plurality of segments that aremovably secured to each other to form the arm.

In one embodiment, the base may comprise an adhesive surface formounting on a receiving surface. In another embodiment, the base may beconfigured to be removably secured to a receiving surface. In a furtheraspect of this embodiment, the base may comprise hook and loop fastener.

In yet another embodiment, the base may comprise a plug that isconfigured to be mounted in a corresponding cavity of a receivingsurface. In this embodiment, securing the mount to a receiving surfacemay comprise inserting the plug into the corresponding cavity andsecuring it within the cavity.

The base may be shaped to be mounted on a flat surface, a curvedsurface, or any other surface.

In one embodiment, at least one of the arm or the mount head is movablysecured using a threaded fastener such that when the threaded fasteneris loosened, the arm and/or mount head is movable, and when the threadedfastener is tightened, the arm and/or mount head is secured in place.

In a particular embodiment, the mount head may be configured to mount aGoPro camera.

In one aspect, adjusting the position of the imaging device in a firstdirection by adjusting the position of the arm relative to the base maycomprise pivoting the arm relative to the base, and/or may compriserotating the arm relative to the base. Similarly, adjusting the positionof the imaging device in a second direction by adjusting the position ofthe mount head relative to the arm may comprise pivoting the mount headrelative to the arm and/or rotating the mount head relative to the arm.

Other features and advantages of the invention should become apparentfrom the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merelydepict typical or example implementations. These drawings are providedto facilitate the reader's understanding and shall not be consideredlimiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the disclosure. Forclarity and ease of illustration, these drawings are not necessarily toscale.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an articulating arm camera mount inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the base of the articulating arm cameramount of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the mount head of the articulating armcamera mount of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the articulating arm camera mount ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the articulating arm camera mount ofFIG. 1 with additional accessories and components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is directed towards a multi-direction mount 10 for animaging device. Compact, sturdy imaging devices, such as the GoPro lineof cameras, have become extremely popular, allowing users to captureunique views and perspectives of their activities by strapping thecamera to their helmet or other equipment. However, the mounts availablefor these types of cameras have been fairly limited, and have notallowed for the degree of creativity and freedom of movement that isachievable with these compact imaging devices.

The mount 10 shown in FIG. 1 allows for a camera to be positioned inmany different positions by providing pivot points that allow formultiple degrees of freedom. The mount comprises a base 12, a base arm14, a pivot arm 16, and a head 18. Preferably, all materials used tomake the described pieces are made of durable, sturdy materials. In afurther preferred embodiment, weather- and water-resistant materialswould be used. It has been found that aircraft grade aluminum issuitable for many applications. The base 12, as depicted in FIG. 1, is around, slightly conical shape on its top surface. On the top surface ofthe base, there is a threaded hole for receiving a screw 20. On thebottom surface of the base 12, there is a contact adhesive or othersuitable substance or fastener (e.g., hook and loop fastener) formounting the base on an object, such as a surfboard, a car dashboard orhood, a helmet, a skateboard, a snowboard, or any other suitablesurface. While the base 12 shown in the figures has a flat bottomsurface, the bottom surface of the base 12 may be shaped so as toconform to and adhere to a curved or non-flat surface. For example, abase meant to be mounted on a helmet might be curved to fit the shape ofa helmet. Additionally, alternative mounting methods may be implementedaside from use of an adhesive. For example, the base 12 may be screwedonto a platform or other receiving surface, or may be shaped to bereceived in and mounted on a receiving surface.

The base arm 14 is connected to the base 12 using a screw 20 at a oneend of the base arm 14, which we will refer to as the rotating end 22.In the figures, the screws used are allen screws. However, the screwsmay be of any type, such as a Philips screw, a flat-head screw, a hexhead screw, or hand screws. Alternatively, other types of fasteners maybe used to movably secure the different components. When the screw 20 isloosened, the base arm 14 may be rotated 360-degrees around the base. Inthis way, the base 12 may be affixed to a surface, rendering itimmovable, but the base arm 14 is still able to turn 360 degrees androtate the rest of the mount 10 in this way. Opposite the rotating end22 of the base arm 14 is a “tang end” 24 which may have a reducedcross-section in comparison to the rotating end 22. The tang end 22includes a cylindrical hole there through, similar to a clevis fastenertang. The tang end 24 of the base arm 14 is configured to fit into a“clevis end” 26 of the pivot arm 16, which is a U-shaped end with holesthat line up with the cylindrical opening on the tang end 24 of the basearm 14.

A close-up of the base 12, the base arm 14, and the base arm'sconnection to the pivot arm 16 is shown in FIG. 2. The base 12 is thelarge, circular piece. The base arm 14 is somewhat tear-like in shape,with the larger rotating end 22 secured to the base 12, and the narrowtang end 24 inserted into the clevis 26 of the pivot arm 16. Byinserting the tang end 24 of the base arm 14 into the clevis end 26 ofthe pivot arm 16, the holes in the ends line up, which allows for ascrew 28 to be passed through both the base arm 14 and the pivot arm 16,securing them together. When the screw 28 is fully tightened, the pivotarm 16 is tightly secured to the base arm 14 and is held in place. Whenthe screw 28 is loosened, the pivot arm 16 is able to pivot in adirection perpendicular to the screw 28 (generally the verticaldirection) to adjust the position of the camera. At the opposite end ofthe pivot arm 16, there is another clevis end 30 to receive the mounthead 18, which is shown in FIG. 3.

The mount head 18, is the piece of the mount 10 that is configured toreceive a camera or other imaging device. The head 18 shown in thefigures is designed to receive a GoPro camera, but the head 18 may beconfigured to receive any kind of camera. FIG. 3 provides a close-up ofthe pivot arm's 16 connection to the mount head 18. Four screws areshown in the figure. The left-most screw 32 is the screw used to connectthe pivot arm 16 to the mount head 18 in a clevis-fastenerconfiguration. When the screw 32 is loosened, the head 18 is able torotate on an axis perpendicular to the screw 32 (and parallel to thepivot arm 16). When the screw 32 is tightened, this joint is secured anddoes not move. The second screw from the left (34) controls thecomplementary joint that allows for movement in the perpendiculardirection from the joint just described. As such, when this screw 34 isloosened, the camera head 18 is able to pivot in a directionperpendicular to the pivot arm 16. These two joints/screws 32, 34 allowfor movement in perpendicular directions, which allows for significantflexibility in the positioning of the mounted camera.

The second screw from the right (36) controls rotation of the camera orother imaging device. When the screw 36 is loosened, the very top of thehead 18 is able to rotate, up to 360°, thereby allowing for the camerato be rotated around the axis of base 37 and camera mount 39 of mounthead 18. Tightening of the screw 36 locks the rotation of the camerarelative to base 37. Finally, the rightmost screw 38 is used to securethe camera to the camera mount 39 of the mount head 18. Camera mount 39in the present embodiment has a clevis-type configuration designed tomate with the typical mount provided on a GoPro camera case. In otherembodiments, camera mount 39 may be provided with differentconfigurations so as to properly mate with camera designs and/or cameracases provided by other manufacturers. Screw 38 is removed in order toallow a GoPro camera to be mounted to the camera mount 39. After themount of the GoPro camera is properly aligned with the screw holescorresponding to screw 38, screw 38 may be reinserted and tightened.Until screw 38 is fully tightened, the camera may be tilted back andforth relative to camera mount 39. Tightening screw 38 fixes the camerawith the desired amount of tilt.

While, in this particular embodiment, the mount head 18 is shown to berotatable and pivotable relative to the pivot arm 16, the mount head maybe fixedly attached to an extension that is then attached to the pivotarm 16 and is similarly pivotable and/or rotatable. It will beunderstood that, regardless of whether such an extension is consideredto be part of the mount head 18 or a segment of the pivot arm 16, theprinciples of the present disclosure still apply by allowing the imagingdevice to be mounted on a platform and re-positioned with multipledegrees of freedom.

FIG. 4 shows the mount 10 with the base 12 lying flat horizontally, andthe pivot arm 14 pivoted upwards. FIG. 5 shows the mount 10 fullyassembled, and a separate pivot arm 40 directly to the right of thefully assembled mount 10. The pivot arm 16 may be removed from the mount10 by unscrewing the screws 28, 32 at either end of the pivot arm 16,which connect it to the base arm 14 and the head 18. The removability ofthe pivot arm 16 allows for pivot arms 40 of different lengths and sizesto be changed in and out of the mount 10 to adjust the functionality ofthe mount. Additionally, multiple pivot arms may be chained together toprovide additional points of movement and adjustment.

FIG. 5 demonstrates a modular aspect to the present disclosure. On thevery right of FIG. 5 is an embedded plug 42 that, in some embodiments,may be used as the base 12. For example, the embedded plug configurationmay be used to mount a camera on a surfboard or other sports board.Sports boards commonly have cavities or openings on their surfaces thatallow for tethers or other accessories to be secured to the board. Onone surface of the plug 42 shown in FIG. 5, there is an extension 44.The plug 42 and the extension 44 are shaped to fit into a board cavity.On the opposite surface of the plug 42 (not pictured) is a threaded holethat is able to receive a screw. This threaded hold can then be used toconnect the base arm 14 to the embedded plug 42, rather than to anadhesive base 12, and the embedded plug 42 can then be used to securethe mount 10 to a surface such as a surf board. In accordance with theprinciples just described, in addition to the generally flat, adhesivebase 12 shown in FIGS. 1-4, alternative bases may be used to secure themount 10 to a surface, such as a curved adhesive base, or a base that issecurable using another type of fastener (such as a hook and loopfastener), or the embedded plug 42 shown on the right in FIG. 5. Thebase 12 may also be replaced by a handle that can be held by a user orother type of base that can be otherwise secured. The base arm 14 cansimply be unscrewed from one base and screwed into another to suit thesituation.

The base arm 14 and the mount head 18 are also interchangeable andreplaceable such that a user may change the radius or shape of the basearm 14 by replacing it with another, or may replace the mount head so asto be able to mount a different type of imaging device that uses adifferent mounting configuration. Further, the pivot arm 16 may bereplace with another arm of a different length, or may be extended usingmultiple segments that are movably or immovably secured to one another.The general interchangeability and replaceability of the parts describedherein allow numerous configurations and increased flexibility for theuser to determine the best way to mount their imaging device.

Although the disclosure has been presented with reference only to thepresently preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that various modifications can be made without departing fromthis disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An imaging device mount for mounting animaging device on a receiving surface, the mount comprising: a baseconfigured to be removably secured to the receiving surface; an armmovably secured to the base such that the arm can be rotated relative tothe base and secured in place; and a mount head movably secured to thearm such that the mount head can be moved relative to the arm andsecured in place, the mount head configured to mount an imaging device,wherein the imaging device mount allows an imaging device mounted to themount head to be adjusted with multiple degrees of freedom relative tothe receiving surface.
 2. The imaging device mount of claim 1, whereinthe arm comprises a plurality of segments that are movably secured toeach other to form the arm.
 3. The imaging device mount of claim 1,wherein the base comprises an adhesive surface for removably securing tothe receiving surface.
 4. The imaging device mount of claim 1, whereinthe base comprises a plug that is configured to be removably secured toa corresponding cavity formed in the receiving surface.
 5. The imagingdevice mount of claim 1, wherein the base is shaped to be removablysecured to a substantially flat receiving surface.
 6. The imaging devicemount of claim 1, wherein the base is shaped to be removably secured toa curved receiving surface.
 7. The imaging device mount of claim 1,wherein the base comprises hook and loop fastener.
 8. The imaging devicemount of claim 1, wherein at least one of the arm and mount head ismovably secured using a threaded fastener such that when the threadedfastener is loosened, the arm and/or mount head is movable, and when thethreaded fastener is tightened, the arm and/or mount head is secured inplace.
 9. The imaging device mount of claim 1, wherein the mount head isconfigured to mount a GoPro camera.
 10. A method comprising: mounting animaging device to a mount, the mount comprising a base configured to beremovably secured to a receiving surface, an arm rotatably secured tothe base such that the arm can be rotated relative to the base andsecured in place, and a mount head movably secured to the arm such thatthe mount head can be moved relative to the arm and secured in place,the mount head configured to mount an imaging device; securing the baseto a receiving surface; adjusting the position of the imaging device ina first direction by adjusting the position of the arm relative to thebase; adjusting the position of the imaging device in a second directionthat is different from the first position by adjusting the position ofthe mount head relative to the arm; and locking the imaging device inplace.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the arm comprises a pluralityof segments that are movably secured to each other to form the arm. 12.The method of claim 10, wherein the base comprises an adhesive surfacefor removably securing to a receiving surface.
 13. The method of claim10, wherein the base comprises a plug that is configured to be removablysecured to a corresponding cavity formed in the receiving surface. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein securing the base to a receiving surfacecomprises inserting the plug into the cavity on the receiving surfaceand securing the plug within the cavity.
 15. The method of claim 10,wherein the base is shaped to be secured to a substantially flatreceiving surface.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the base isshaped to be secured to a curved receiving surface.
 17. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the base comprises hook and loop fastener.
 18. Themethod of claim 10, wherein at least one of the arm and mount head ismovably secured using a threaded fastener such that when the threadedfastener is loosened, the arm and/or mount head is movable, and when thethreaded fastener is tightened, the arm and/or mount head is secured inplace.
 19. The method of claim 10, wherein the mount head is configuredto mount a GoPro camera.
 20. The method of claim 10, wherein adjustingthe position of the imaging device in a first direction by adjusting theposition of the arm relative to the base comprises pivoting the armrelative to the base.
 21. The method of claim 10, wherein adjusting theposition of the imaging device in a first direction by adjusting theposition of the arm relative to the base comprises rotating the armrelative to the base.
 22. The method of claim 10, wherein adjusting theposition of the imaging device in a second direction that is differentfrom the first direction by adjusting the position of the mount headrelative to the arm comprises pivoting the mount head relative to thearm.
 23. The method of claim 10, wherein adjusting the position of theimaging device in a second direction that is different from the firstposition by adjusting the position of the mount head relative to the armcomprises rotating the mount head relative to the arm.